Composer

:

André Messager

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Operetta

'Les Dragons de L'Impératrice' is an opera composed by André Messager, a French composer, conductor, and pianist. The opera was composed in 1917 and premiered on 29 December 1917 at the Opéra-Comique in Paris, France. The libretto was written by Maurice Ordonneau and Georges Duval. The plot of the opera revolves around the Empress of China, who is in love with a French diplomat named Fernand de Bois-d'Enghien. However, the Empress is already married to the Emperor of China, and their marriage is on the verge of collapse due to the Emperor's infidelity. The Empress decides to use Fernand to make the Emperor jealous and win back his love. She sends Fernand on a mission to retrieve a precious pearl from a dragon's lair, hoping that he will be killed in the process. However, Fernand succeeds in his mission and returns to the Empress, who is overjoyed. The Emperor, who has been watching from afar, becomes jealous and challenges Fernand to a duel. Fernand wins the duel and the Empress is finally able to win back the Emperor's love. The opera is divided into three acts and features a variety of musical styles, including French and Chinese influences. The first act takes place in the Emperor's palace, the second act in the dragon's lair, and the third act back in the palace. The music is characterized by lush orchestration, memorable melodies, and a sense of exoticism. 'Les Dragons de L'Impératrice' was well-received by audiences and critics alike and helped establish Messager as one of the leading composers of his time. The opera has since fallen out of favor and is rarely performed today, but it remains an important work in the history of French opera.

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